Davis on how not having Pogba and Coco has affected his side's start to the season

Steve Davis admits that early season injuries to key players such as Byron Moore, Mathias Pogba and Ryan Colclough have affected his side’s performances in Sky Bet League One.

Crewe lost last season’s leading scorer, Pogba, in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United and the former Wrexham man had to have knee surgery. He is projected to return in December.

Ryan Colclough has recently missed games due to a hip injury and Byron Moore has been struggling with a thigh injury ever since aggravating the muscle on the opening day of the season against Rotherham United.

Steve admits that the injuries to players has given other members of his squad a chance, but he stresses that any team would miss key players such as Pogba and our two wide men.

The Crewe boss told crewealex.net: “You always want your better players to be fit, especially when they are your goal scorers and creative players. Any team in the world would miss two of their main forward players. Anyone would find that difficult and we are the same here.

“It does give others a chance and they have had their opportunities. When there are injuries, others have to step up. AJ did that against Peterborough and just found it difficult to maintain that level of consistency against Walsall.

“Vadaine has done fine and has worked hard and Max was terrific for the Under-21s, so I know they are all competing and all trying to get in and stay in the team.

“We need to be better in the final third of the pitch and the basis of that is hard work.”